The Top 500 One-Hit Wonders of the Rock Era Revisited: #280-271

All decades are represented here, from the 50's through 2020, our cutoff date.  Get set for 10 more!

For this artist, it was all in the family, until alcohol ruined his career:

#280:  Mark Dinning--"Teen Angel" 

Dinning followed his sisters, the popular Dinning Sisters of the 1940's, and pursued a career in music and in 1957, signed a recording contract with producer Wesley Rose.  Efforts were unsuccessful until "Teen Angel" in 1959, which went to #1 and sold over one million copies.

Dinning's dependency on alcohol led him to appear at performances too intoxicated to perform, caused promoters to stop booking him, and Dinning's star faded.  He had three minor hits afterwards, but nothing came close to "Teen Angel".

This London act is cued up next:

#279:  Honeycombs--"Have I the Right?"  

The Honeycombs, founded in London in 1963 as the Sheratons, consisted of lead singer and harmonica player Denis D'Ell, lead guitarist Alan Ward, rhythm guitarist Martin Murray, bassist John Lantree and drummer Honey Lantree.  Peter Pye replaced Murray in 1964.

The group played in the West End of London and at the Mildmay Tavern in North London.  The Sheratons arranged an audition with producer Joe Meek.  Following a gig by the band in February of 1964, the group met with aspiring songwriters Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley.  This led to the Sheratons recording "Have I the Right?"

In the recording, members of the group stomped their feet on the wooden stairs to the studio to enhance the drums in the song.  The effect was completed when someone beat a tambourine directly into a microphone.  The single was released in June on Pye Records with Pye chairman renaming the group the Honeycombs, a pun on the drummer's name.  

"Have I the Right?" reached #1 in the U.K., Australia and Canada, #2 in the Netherlands and #5 in the United States and the single topped one million in sales.  The Honeycombs toured Australia and the Far East.  Howard and Blaikley acted as the group's managers and wrote two more singles for them, which did not do well.  

The Honeycombs could never follow-up their One-Hit Wonder and they split in 1966.

At #278, a songwriter who scored his biggest career success when he released a solo single:

#278:  Billy Swan--"I Can Help"   

Swan learned to play drums, piano and guitar while growing up in Cape Giradeau, Missouri. Billy also began writing songs and joined a band called Mirt Mirly & the Rhythm Stoppers. One of his songs, "Lover Please" was recorded by Bill Black, former bassist for Elvis Presley.  In 1962, Clyde McPhatter recorded his version and it became a #7 hit.

Swan moved to Memphis, Tennessee to work with Black, but Black became ill and died in 1965.  Billy also worked for a while at Graceland, Presley's estate.  He then moved to Nashville, where he wrote songs for artists such as Conway Twitty, Waylon Jennings and Mel Tillis.  In 1969, Swan produced "Polk Salad Annie" for Tony Joe White.  Billy also played bass for Kris Kristofferson before signing a recording contract with Monument Records.

Swan's first single, "I Can Help" went to #1 on both the popular and country charts in the United States in 1974 and became a hit in several other countries.  Future albums failed to capitalize on the success, however.  Swan played in the Havana Jam Festival in 1979 in Havana, Cuba along with Billy Joel, Stephen Stills, Rita Coolidge, Kristofferson and others.  

Swan continued to tour with Kristofferson and played on two albums for Randy Meisner of the Eagles.  

This group did all the right things in the music industry, and their dues paid off when they scored their own hit:

#277:  System--"Don't Disturb This Groove" 

Session keyboardist David Frank and singer/guitarist Mic Murphy met in the early 1980's while working for the group Kleer. Frank was the group's keyboardist on tour while Murphy was the band's road manager. 

Later in New York City, Frank was working on a session that resulted in a song called "It's Passion", which featured aspiring singer Madonna on vocals. Because of creative differences, Madonna bowed out. Frank called Murphy and invited him to work on the song.  Atlantic Records was so impressed that they offered Murphy and Frank a recording contract.  In 1982, the duo founded the group the System and "It's Passion" became a local hit in New York.

The resulting album in 1983 (Sweat) led to several R&B hits.  The System appeared in the 1984 movie Beat Street and the title track from their 1985 album The Pleasure Seekers was featured in an episode of Miami Vice on NBC-TV.  The System's version of "Rock N' Roll Me Again" was featured in the movie Beverly Hills Cop in 1984, and the title track from the movie Coming to America reached #23 in the R&B chart.  

Meanwhile, the group worked with Phil Collins on the song "Sussudio", and lent their talents to Chaka Khan for "I Feel for You".  In 1987, the System released the single "Don't Disturb This Groove", the title cut from their new album.  The song reached #4 and was a #1 R&B song.

The System enjoyed another Top 10 on the R&B chart with "Nighttime Lover", but neither that song nor future efforts resulted in a mainstream hit.  After releasing the album Rhythm & Romance in 1989, the System split up.

Murphy recorded a solo album, while Frank continued to write songs and produce, notably for Christina Aguilera for the song "Genie in a Bottle" in 1999 and for Dream's "He Loves U Not" in 2000.

Up next, a great songwriter who scored a huge solo hit in 1977:

#276:  Alan O'Day--"Undercover Angel"  

O'Day began creating melodies on a xylophone at age six.  Alan went to Coachella Valley Union High School in Hollywood, California.  He joined the group called the Imperials before starting his own band, the Shoves.  A third group, the Renes, played Latin and Mexican standards mixed with rock and roll songs and gave O'Day the chance to be a songwriter.

In 1961, O'Day helped out with the sound for an independent movie producer and the following year, was music editor on the movie Eegah.  This work led to the formation of the band the Archers, which played at clubs such as Whiskey A Go Go and Pandora's Box.  In 1965, O'Day was in the band Alan & Bob & Denny, a group which played nightclubs in the area and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Despite his success, O'Day decided to concentrate on songwriting.  In 1969, he signed with E.H. Morris Music, then moved to Warner Brothers Music in 1971.  He wrote "The Drum" for Bobby Sherman, then in 1974, three of his songs became hits: "Angie Baby (a #1 song for Helen Reddy), "Rock and Roll Heaven" (by the Righteous Brothers) and "Train of Thought" (by Cher).

In 1971, Warner Brothers organized a recording label for composers who also performed.  O'Day was the first artist signed and he wrote "Undercover Angel" in 1977.  The song became a #1 record in the United States, #9 in Australia and sold over two million copies.  O'Day thus joined an exclusive club as one of a handful of artists who had written a #1 song for themselves and a #1 for another artist.

But a second single, "Starting Out Dancing, Ended Up Making Love", peaked at #73, O'Day's last appearance on the U.S. charts.  In 1980, "Skinny Girls" reached #11 in Australia.  He recorded three albums and eight singles in his solo career.

With that singing career over, O'Day and Janis Liebhart co-wrote a children's song for a new Saturday morning animated television show in 1983, Jim Henson's Muppet Babies.  Eight years later, O'Day had written almost 100 songs for the series, which won an Emmy Award.

O'Day and Liebhart collaborated on other kid-focused projects, including National Geographic's Really Wild Animals.  

At #275, yet another artist whose career was cut out from under them by drugs:

#275:  Blind Melon--"No Rain"

This group formed in Los Angeles in 1990 when Mississippi natives Rogers Stevens and Brad Smith met vocalist Shannon Hoon of Lafayette, Indiana.  Guitarist Christopher Thorn was added shortly after and drummer Glen Graham completed the lineup.

Blind Melon recorded a demo in 1991 and signed a recording contract with Capitol Records later that year.  Hoon sang backing vocals on several songs for the Guns N' Roses albums Use Your Illusion I and II, including "Don't Cry".  Blind Melon began a tour in support of Soundgarden.

The group relocated to Durham, North Carolina and began working on their self-titled debut album with Rick Parashar, the producer of Pearl Jam.  The album barely got off the ground with the singles "Tones of Home" and "No Rain", until the latter began receiving heavy airplay on MTV.  For those unfamiliar with songs on MTV, the network used to play nothing but music.  Of course those days are long gone, but in this case, it greatly helped Blind Melon.

The album went on to sell four million copies, thanks to the success of "No Rain", which reached #20 in 1993.  

Blind Melon supported the album with heavy touring in Europe and Mexico, performed at Woodstock '94 and opened for the Rolling Stones.  However, personal and legal problems brought on by drug use began to tear the group apart.  Hoon had multiple trips to drug rehabilitation, but he didn't get the message.

In 1995, Blind Melon released the album Soup, and "Galaxie" reached #25, just short of attaining the Top 20 status necessary to avoid being a One-Hit Wonder for purposes of this special.

Later that year, the group recorded "Out on the Tiles" on the Led Zeppelin tribute album Encomium.  Disregarding the advice of Hoon's drug counselor, Blind Melon went on tour.  After several weeks on the road, Hoon was found dead of a heart attack caused by drug use.

The band tried to continue but their efforts were in vain as they broke up four years later.  They reformed in 2006 and recorded a fourth album but "No Rain" was the song that they were famous for.

This 60's psychedelic rock group is next in The Top 500 One-Hit Wonders of the Rock Era*:

#274:  Count Five--"Psychotic Reaction"       

Lead guitarist John Michalski and bassist Roy Chaney formed this group in San Jose, California after previously playing in other groups. Originally, they were known as the Squires, but after several line-up changes, they became Count Five. John Byrne was the lead singer and rhythm guitar player while Craig 

Byrne wrote "Psychotic Reaction", with the group refining it highlighting it during live shows.  Several record companies rejected the group before Count Five signed with Double Shot Records.  "Psychotic Reaction" reached #5 and became a staple of the garage rock sound.  

However, the group was never able to produce another big song and faded from public memory.  In 1969, they broke up.

This group has something in common with the other 499 One-Hit Wonders--that's one thing they've got:

#273: Deep Blue Something--"Breakfast at Tiffany's"   

This group formed in Denton, Texas in 1992 with brothers Todd and Toby Pipes, drummer John Kirtland and guitarist Clay Bergus.  Originally, they were known as Leper Messiah.  Bergus left the group prior to their debut album, 11th Song and Kirk Tatom joined after the release of the album.  

In 1994, the group released Home on Rainmaker Records, but Interscope Records re-released the album a year later.  "Breakfast at Tiffany's" caught on, reaching #1 in the U.K. and #5 in the United States.  

Bergus returned as guitarist in 1995 to replace Tatom and Deep Blue Something worked on the planned album Byzantium.  But the group had legal troubles over copyright issues and the album was put on hold until 1998.  Deep Blue Something then signed with small label Azera Records and released a self-titled album, but broke up shortly afterwards.  

A 60's group plays next on The Top 500 One-Hit Wonders*:

#272: the Reflections--" (Just Like) Romeo & Juliet" 

This group of Tony Micale, Phil Castrodale, Dan Bennie, Ray Steinberg and John Dean formed in Detroit, Michigan.  They recorded "(Just Like) Romeo and Juliet" on Golden World Records and released the single in 1964.  It reached #6.  Steinberg left the group shortly afterwards but the group kept recording and appearing on television.

But despite 12 single releases, they only enjoyed one big hit.

 This durable Southern U.S. band finally struck it big with their one big song in 1977:

#271:  Marshall Tucker Band--"Heard It In A Love Song"  

This group formed in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1972 with lead guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Toy Caldwell, vocalist Doug Gray, keyboardist, saxophone player and flautist Jerry Eubanks, rhythm guitarist George McCorkle, drummer Paul Riddle and bassist Tommy Caldwell.  The original members of the band have been playing together in various lineups under different band names since the early 1960's.  

The group signed with Capricorn Records and released their self-titled debut album in 1973.  The single "Can't You See" was released and then re-released in 1977, but never got higher than #75.  The Marshall Tucker Band began touring, playing over 300 shows per year throughout the decade.

The group began to attract a following and enjoyed several gold albums.  "Fire on the Mountain" peaked at #38 in 1974. Early albums included contributions from Charlie Daniels and Elvin Bishop.  

In 1977, the group released the album Carolina Dreams, which included "Heard It In a Love Song".  The single reached #14 and helped the group score their first platinum album.  

The Marshall Tucker Band has been one of the most persistent and enduring of the One-Hit Wonders, performing under various lineups for over 40 years.  They have released 23 albums and 27 singles, but only one, their One-Hit Wonder, reached the Top 20.  

Marshall Tucker takes us to the end of today's segment.  Be sure to catch us tomorrow!

The Top 500 One-Hit Wonders of the Rock Era Revisited: #290-281

We're happy to bring back one of our most popular music specials in the summer of 2025.  Let's continue!

This group signed with then was dropped by several record companies until their persistence finally paid off with one worldwide hit:

 

 #290:  Church--"Under The Milky Way" 

This song comes from the fifth album from Australia's rock group the Church.  The group consisted of Steve Kilbey on bass and lead vocals, guitarist Peter Koppes, Marty Willson-Piper playing guitar and Richard Ploog on drums and percussion.  While recording this song, however, they didn't like the drum track provided by Ploog, and eventually brought in ace session musician Russ Kunkel to play drums and percussion.

"Under The MIlky Way" stopped at #24 in the U.S.

There was a dispute over royalties in 2013 and lineup changes, but the Church continues to play and record, releasing their 27th album just last year.  They've released 42 career singles, with nothing else charting on the U.S. popular chart and very few getting airplay outside of their native Australia.

An 80's act checks in next:

#289:  -After The Fire--"Der Kommissar"  

Keyboardist Peter Banks formed After the Fire in London in the early 1970's.  After several lineup changes, the group found stability with Banks, guitarist and lead singer Andy Piercy, bassist Nick Battle and Ivor Twidell on drums.

After the Fire enjoyed local success and released the album Signs of Change on their own label.   Battle left the group, Piercy switched to bass and John Russell was hired to be the new guitarist.  After the Fire signed with CBS Records and released their first new wave album, Laser Love.  Twydell then left and Nick Brotherwood took over for him.  The group released "One Rule for You", which was only a hit in the U.K.

Pete King became the new drummer and the group recorded the album Batteries Not Included.  Then in 1983, After the Fire's remake of the Falco song "Der Kommissar" hit #5 in the United States and was #47 in the U.K.

However, success had come too late and musical differences led to the demise of the group.  After the Fire released six albums and 13 singles in their career. 

Born with music in his genes, this artist helped bring back the style of music that his father had helped make popular:

#288:  Rocky Burnette--"Tired Of Toein' The Line"  

Burnette, the son of early rock star Johnny Burnette, was part of the revival of rockabilly in the 1980's. He released his debut album Son of Rock 'n' Roll on EMI America in 1979.  The single "Tired of Toein' the Line" reached #8 in the United States, #1 in Australia and #3 in South Africa.  

Financial problems at EMI limited the promotional help that Burnette got on his second album, and was not successful.  Burnette toured Europe in 1981 and although several of his singles did well on that continent, "Tired of Toein' the Line" would be his only worldwide hit.

It may have been tough for some music publications to gauge popularity, but no one can deny that this artist enjoyed their one big hit in 1971:

#287:  Chase--"Get It On"

Bill Chase, Ted Piercefield, Alan Ware and Jerry Van Blair, were all excellent jazz trumpeters who were quite good at vocals and arranging. The four were backed by a rhythm section of Phil Porter on keyboards, Angel South on guitar, bassist Dennis Johnson and Jay Burrid on percussion. Terry Richards handled lead vocals on the first album.

With this lineup in 1971, the group released their self-titled debut album, which contained the great but highly underrated song "Get It On".  The single peaked at #24 while the album sold 400,000 copies, itself evidence that those making the chart didn't at the time adequately factor in album sales.  Chase was nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards, but was edged out by rising star Carly Simon. 

Chase released four albums in their career, but their best work is definitely "Get It On". 

This group scored their one big hit with a little "Elvis magic":

#286:  Exciters--"Tell Him" 

The Exciters were originally a girl group (lead singer Brenda Reid, Carolyn Johnson and Lillian Walker), although Reid's husband Herb Rooney was added later.  

Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, famous songwriters for Elvis Presley, produced "Tell Him" for the Exciters, which reached #4 in 1962.  It was "Tell Him" that was the song that Dusty Springfield heard which inspired her to start a solo career.  The song would later be featured in the great movie My Best Friend's Wedding as well as in episodes of the television series Ally McBeal.

The group also recorded the original version of "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" in 1963 before it became an international hit for Manfred Mann a year later.

This artist did a major disappearing act after his One Hit:

#285:  Peter McCann--"Do You Wanna' Make Love"  

Bridgeport, Connecticut's Peter McCann became a staff writer with ABC Music, and wrote "Right Time of the Night", which became a huge hit for Jennifer Warnes in 1977.  Three months later, McCann hit #5 in the United States and #11 in Australia with his own recording, "Do You Wanna' Make Love".  Then, he was never heard from again.

This group from the 90's is next in our special: 

#284:  Filter--"Take A Picture"

Singer Richard Patrick played guitar on tour for Nine Inch Nails but left the band shortly afterwards. In 1993, he formed Filter with guitarist Brian Liesegang. The group signed a recording contract with Reprise Records in 1994.

Filter released their debut album Short Bus in 1995 that included the single "Hey Man, Nice Shot".  In order to tour, Filter recruited Geno Lenardo on guitar, bassist Frank Cavanagh and drummer Matt Walker.  The new group recorded the video for the single "Dose".

Filter then recorded several songs for soundtracks, including "Thanks Bro" on Songs in the Key of X:  Music from and Inspired by the X-Files and "Jurassitol" for Crow:  City of Angels.  Liesegang left the group in 1997.

Patrick kept Filter going with Lenardo, Cavanagh and drummer Steve Gillis, who joined after Walker left for the Smashing Pumpkins.  Filter recorded their second album Title of Record, which included the mellow ballad "Take a Picture", which reached #12.

The Amalgamut featured the singles "Where Do We Go From Here?" and "The Only Way (Is the Wrong Way)", but neither received much airplay.  

Patrick joined the Damning Well in 2003 and then Army of Anyone and Filter was on hiatus.  Liesegang and Matt Walker played in Billy Corgan's touring band in 2005. 

Patrick began working on the Filter album Anthems for the Damned, released in 2008.  After the release of a Greatest Hits album, Filter began working on a new album that has yet to be released.

Beethoven may be long gone, but he had a hand in this artist achieving success:

#283:  Walter Murphy--"A Fifth Of Beethoven"

Murphy grew up in Manhattan, New York, and began studying several instruments, including the piano and organ, at age four.  Walter studied classical piano and went to Mount Saint Michael Academy, where he studied jazz and performed his own compositions.  Murphy enrolled in the Manhattan School of Music in 1970 and wrote songs for the school jazz ensemble.

In 1972, a fellow student introduced Murphy to Doc Severinsen, musical director of The Tonight Show, who heard Murphy's arrangements. Severinsen was so impressed that he had The Tonight Show Band play them live. Murphy also wrote radio jingles for companies such as Woolworth's, Revlon and Lady Arrow.

In 1974, Murphy was writing a disco song for a commercial when the producer suggested he use an updated version of classical music. Murphy recorded a demo tape of these songs and sent them to record companies in New York City. Murphy's version of Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5 in C Minor", however, caught the ears of Larry Uttal, the owner of Private Stock Records. Murphy signed a recording contract and recorded "A Fifth of Beethoven" in 1976.

The song was credited to Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band at the urging of Private Stock, which believed it would have a better chance of being played if it were credited to a group. Two days after release, however, Private Stock discovered there was already a band by the name of The Big Apple Band, and changed the credit to The Walter Murphy Band.

"A Fifth of Beethoven" climbed to #1 and became one of The Top 100 Instrumentals of the Rock Era*. Murphy released an album of the same title and included his version of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee" entitled "Flight '76". The follow-up single hit #44.

Murphy released three more albums but "Themes From E.T. (The Extra-Terrestrial)" at #47 was his only other song of note.

 Here's a singer that Rick James helped become a recording artist:

#282:  Teena Marie--"Lovergirl" 

Mary Christine Brockert grew up in Mission Hills, California, a natural performer. She began singing "Banana Boat Song" by age two. She also loved Motown music and began singing the popular songs of the 60's and 70's.  

At eight years old, Brockert began performing auditions, which landed her an acting role on The Beverly Hillbillies. Brockert learned to play piano and later taught herself to play guitar, bass and congas.

Mary soon formed a semi-professional R&B band with her younger brother Anthony and friend Paul Saenz. Brockert attended Venice High School in Oakland and joined the Summer Dance Production. After graduation, Mary auditioned for record companies while studying English Literature at Santa Monica College.

In 1976, Brockert was introduced to Hal Davis of Motown Records.  Eventually, label head Berry Gordy signed her as a solo artist.  She recorded several songs that were unreleased before Rick James heard her and was impressed.  James produced the album Wild and Peaceful, credited to Teena Marie.  

The album yielded the Top 10 R&B song "I'm a Sucker for Your Love", a duet with James. A second album in 1980, Lady T, included "Behind the Groove", #6 in the U.K. but largely ignored everywhere else.

In 1980, Teena Marie wrote and produced all the songs, the horn and rhythm arrangements and handled the backing vocals on her third album, Irons in the Fire. The single "I Need Your Lovin'" became a #37 song in the United States and #28 in the U.K. Later that year, Teena Marie sang the duet "Fire and Desire" with James.

But in 1982, Teena Marie and Motown were embroiled in a legal battle over her contract and disagreements about releasing her new material. The result was known as "The Brockert Initiative", which made it illegal for a record company to keep an artist under contract without releasing new material that the artist recorded.

Epic Records contacted Teena Marie and signed her to a contract that also allowed her to establish her own publishing company, Midnight Magnet. Teena Marie released the album Robbery, which included the minor R&B hit "Fix It". Still, the talented Teena Marie was mostly unknown. 
Then finally in 1984, Teena Marie released Starchild, which contained the #4 smash "Lovergirl". She followed that up with the rock album Emerald City, which didn't sit well with her fans and did not do well. Teena Marie also recorded "Lead Me On" for the movie Top Gun. In 1988, her song "Ooo La La La" was a #1 R&B song but again, largely ignored.

Further releases fared no better and despite 13 albums and 29 single releases, "Lovergirl" is by far the only song Teena Marie did that will be remembered.

This next singer was so popular it seemed as if the entire record industry was rooting for her:

#281: Nicolette Larson--"Lotta' Love"

Larson graduated from high school in Kansas City, Missouri and attended the University of Missouri before leaving to begin a music career.  This led Nicolette to San Francisco, where she worked in a record store and volunteered for the Golden Gate Country Bluegrass Festival.  Larson made her public debut opening for Eric Andersen at a club in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 

Larson performed with Hoyt Axton when he opened for Joan Baez in 1975, and sang on her first record when she provided background vocals for Commander Cody.  Nicolette continued her work for Commander Cody on two further albums, and also sang for Rodney Crowell, Jesse Colin Young and Jesse Winchester.  Larson's work with Emmylou Harris in 1977 enabled her to meet Harris' friend Linda Ronstadt.  

Larson was at Ronstadt's home in Malibu, California, when neighbor Neil Young called to ask Ronstadt if she could recommend a female vocalist.  Ronstadt suggested Larson, becoming the third person that day to recommend her to Young.  

The next week, Ronstadt and Larson recorded vocals for Young's American Stars 'n Bars album.  Nicolette also provided vocals on Young's Comes a Time album in 1977.

This led to Larson signing a recording contract with Warner Brothers.  Larson's debut single "Lotta Love" (written for her by Young) hit #8 overall and was a #1 Adult Contemporary song.  She also continued her session work with the Doobie Brothers (on the Minute by Minute album), Emmylou Harris and Crowell.

Larson recorded a performance of "Lotta Love" at Madison Square Garden for the "No Nukes" Soundtrack album in 1979.  Larson's second single, "Rhumba Girl" only peaked at #48.

In 1980, Larson released her second album In the Nick of Time featuring the single "Let Me Go Love".  While that song would only reach #35, Larson continued to do well as a backing vocalist, featured prominently on "Say You'll Be Mine" by Christopher Cross and "Make a Little Magic" by the Dirt Band.  The lack of a major hit limited impact of future albums Radioland and All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go.

Larson continued her session career with credits on albums by Ronstadt (Mad Love), the Doobie Brothers (One Step Closer), Van Halen (Women and Children First), Rita Coolidge, John Stewart and Tom Johnston.  She charted a few more times on the minor country chart, but Nicolette could never repeat her success with the general public before dying in 1997 of cerebral edema.

That brings an end to this segment, but we've got more lined up for you tomorrow, exclusively on Inside The Rock Era!

The Top 500 One-Hit Wonders of the Rock Era Revisited: #300-291

Hey, we've got 200 in the books and are ready to dive into The Top 300*!

One of the Rock Era's great instrumentals gave this duo its one and only hit:  

 

 #300:  Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell--"Dueling Banjos"  

Weissberg graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Julliard School of Music.  He played with the Tarriers as a singer, banjo player, guitarist and mandolin player.  The Tarriers opened for Judy Collins on a tour of Poland and Russia, but split shortly after.  

However, Collins was impressed enough with Weissberg to invite him to play on her 1965 album Fifth Album and others in her career.  It was in this direction that Weissberg chose to go, playing on albums by Bob Dylan, John Denver, Billy Joel, Jim Croce, Melanie, Art Garfunkel and others.  

"Dueling Banjos" was written by Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith.  The version by Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell was #2 for four weeks in 1973, behind only the Roberta Flack classic "Killing Me Softly With His Song".  

This next group made quite an impression in concerts:

#299:  Blues Traveler--"Run-Around" 

Blues Traveler began as a high school garage band in Princeton, New Jersey in 1987. Singer, guitarist and harmonica player John Popper and drummer Brendan Hill formed a group called the Establishment with Hill's brother on bass and a rotating group of guitarists. The group renamed themselves Blues Band, and added guitarist Chan Kinchla and Bobby Sheehan became the new bassist.

Eventually, the group changed to Blues Traveler. After Popper, Hill and Sheehan graduated from Princeton High School, they studied music at The New School while Kinchla went to New York University. Blues Traveler began playing shows on the New York club circuit at places like the Wetlands and the Nightingale. 

Patrick Clifford from A&M Records discovered the band at one of their performances and Blues Traveler signed a recording contract.  The group began a relentless touring schedule up and down the east coast. 

Blues Traveler released their self-titled debut album in 1990 and a second album, Travelers and Thieves, followed in 1991.  After famous promoter Bill Graham's death that year, the group released a live EP, On Tour Forever, as a tribute that included legendary guitarist Carlos Santana.  David Letterman introduced Blues Traveler as "his favorite band" to his audience on the television program The Late Show, and Blues Traveler has made more appearances on that show than any other musical artist.  In 1992, the group founded the H.O.R.D.E Music Festival and began recording their third album Save His Soul.  The single "Conquer Me" became a minor hit on the Mainstream Rock chart.

But it was the album Four that launched the group.  "Run-Around" became a rare Top 15 hit on three formats--Adult Contemporary, Popular and Modern Rock.  Grammy Award and broke a Rock Era record for most weeks on the chart.

The group is known for their improvisational live performances.  Sheehan's death and Popper's struggle with obesity limited their success, and A&M Records dropped the group in 2002.

A great garage rock song is next:

    

 #298:  Swingin' Medallions--"Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)"

The group formed in Greenwood, South Carolina in 1962 as the Medallions, adding the "Swingin'" in 1965.  Original members were keyboardists John McElrath and Ken Johnson,  guitarist Jim Doares, Carroll Bledsoe and Charles Webber on trumpet, Brent Forston and Steven Caldwell on sax, bassist James Perkins and drummers Irven Hicks, Joe Morris and Richard Wrenn.  Johnny Cox and Hack Bartley replaced Fortson and Caldwell in 1967.

The Swingin' Medallions released their first single "I Wanna' Be Your Guy", which did not chart.  But the second, "Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)" hit #17.  But the best they could do after that was #71 with "She Drives Me Out of My Mind".

The group continued to popular in the American South and in 2009, reunited do do their One Hit Wonder with Bruce Springsteen at his concert in Greenville, South Carolina.  

One of several artists in our feature to be honored with a Grammy nomination is next:

    

#297--Dorothy Moore:  "Misty Blue"

Dorothy Moore began singing with The New Strangers Home Baptist Church Choir at age five and graduated from Lanier High School in Jackson, Mississippi.  While attending Jackson State University, Dorothy formed an all-female group called the Poppies.  The group recorded for Date Records, a subsidiary of Epic, and hit #56 in 1966 with "Lullaby Of Love".  

In 1975, Moore released the single "Misty Blue", which reached #3 in the U.S. and #5 in the U.K.

Moore released many other albums and singles, but "I Believe You" (#27) in 1977  was the closest she would get to the Top 20 after "Misty Blue".

The story of this next One Hit Wonder becomes all the more amazing when you realize the tremendous musicianship of the group:

    

 #296:  Focus--"Hocus Pocus" 

Classically-trained organist/flautist Thijs van Leer formed the group Focus in 1969.  Elite guitarist Jan Akkerman, bassist Martin Dresden and drummer Hans Cleuver joined van Leer and issued their debut album Focus Plays Focus in 1970.  The album was not noticed outside their native the Netherlands, but the group attracted a small but loyal following in their homeland.  

Akkerman left the group to form another band with bassist Cyril Havermans and drummer Pierre van der Linden.  When Cleuver and Dresden left Focus, Van Leer joined Akkerman, Van der Linden and Havermans as the new lineup of Focus. In 1971, the group released Focus II, which contained the massive worldwide instrumental hit "Hocus Pocus".  Later in the year, Havermans quit and was replaced by Bert Ruiter.

The double album Focus 3 was panned by critics who said the material didn't warrant a double album.  It did contain the single "Sylvia", which was a hit in Europe but failed to become recognized worldwide.  Future attempts met with declining success, though the group has released 11 albums and 8 singles.

"Hocus Pocus" was the theme for the Nike 2010 World Cup commercial, giving Focus renewed fame.  The group has reunited several times with different lineups.

This ordinary working guy who had a passion for music realized his dream in 1974:

    

 #295:  William DeVaughn--"Be Thankful For What You Got"   

DeVaughn was a drafting technician and part-time singer when he wrote "A Cadillac Don't Come Easy".  The song was eventually reworked to become "Be Thankful for What You Got", and DeVaughn worked with Omega Sound production studio in Philadelphia.

DeVaughn recorded the song at Sigma Sound Studios, with accompaniment by members of MFSB ("TSOP" from 1974) and the song was released on Roxbury Records.  "Be Thankful for What You Got" sold nearly two million copies and reached #4 (#1 R&B) in the United States and #31 in the U.K.  

When success was realized, DeVaughn quit his government job to record an album.  "Blood Is Thicker Than Water", however, was only a top 50 song and future efforts paled in comparison to his big hit.  DeVaughn lost interest in the industry and went back to work as a draftsman.  

At #293, these prolific and important songwriters:

    

 #294:  Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart--"I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight" 

Bobby Hart served in the Army after leaving high school.  Upon his discharge, Bobby moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a singer.  Tommy Boyce was also in the city working on the same thing, and wrote "Be My Guest" for Fats Domino.  The song reached #8 in the United States and #11 in the U.K. and sold over one million copies.

Boyce and Hart met in 1959 and formed a successful songwriting partnership.  They wrote "Come a Little Bit Closer" for Jay & the Americans, "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" for Paul Revere and the Raiders and "Words" for the Monkees, as well as the theme song for the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives.  Hart also co-wrote "Hurt So Bad" for Little Anthony & the Imperials.

The duo wrote, produced and performed the soundtrack for the first episode of the television show the Monkees.  Boyce and Hart recorded all the backing tracks for the first season of the show and the group's debut album.  Every studio album from the group included songs written by Boyce and Hart.

The pair also began to record on their own, releasing three albums on A&M Records.  In 1968, the song "I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight" caught on and reached #8.  It also sold over one million copies.  They came close to the Top 20 with "Alice Long" (#27) and also charted with "Out and About" (#39).  Boyce & Hart's music was also featured on the television show Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie and The Flying Nun and I.

Boyce and Hart also produced music for motion pictures and created commercial jingles for Coca Cola and the United States Army Reserve.  In the mid-1970's, Boyce and Hart reunited with Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz to perform the songs Boyce and Hart had written for the Monkees a decade earlier.  They toured venues throughout North America, Japan and Thailand.  

All told, Boyce and Hart wrote over 300 songs and their music sold more than 42 million records.  So although they only had one hit as performing artists, they made contributions to the Rock Era that go beyond their recording career.

This talented artist gave us one of the big hits of 1980:

    

 #293:   Terri Gibbs--"Somebody's Knockin'"

Born blind, Gibbs learned how to play the piano at age three.  She sang in the church choir in Grovetown, Georgia as a youth and at age seventeen, opened a concert for Bill Anderson.  Chet Atkins advised Terri to move to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a career limited to country music, which she did at age eighteen.

Unable to land a recording contract at first, Gibbs joined the band Sound Dimension and then started the Terri Gibbs Trio, which performed at Steak & Ale in Augusta, Georgia.  Gibbs sent a demo tape to producer Ed Penney of MCA Records, and finally signed a contract in 1980.

Gibbs recorded the album Somebody's Knockin', and the title track was released as a single.  It reached #13 overall and #3 on the Adult Contemporary chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Song.  "Rich Man" was a minor country hit but just skimmed the popular chart.

Committed to country music even though she did better with popular music, Gibbs' second album, I'm a Lady, was not as successful as her debut.  Gibbs released eight albums and 13 singles in her career, but with only a limited audience to hear her music, she was never able to match "Somebody's Knockin'".  

After 13 years of recording, this Jamaican artist scored his one big hit after forming his own record label:

  

#292:  Ini Kamoze--"Here Comes The Hotstepper"  

Ini Kamoze released his first single in 1981 called "World Affairs".  In 1984, he released a mini-LP on Island Records.  By 1988, however, Kamoze had basically disappeared because of a lack of interest in his music.

But this next song in our feature is about a lesson in persistence.  Kamoze founded his own label and after several other releases, recorded "Here Comes the Hotstepper", which was a reworking of Chris Kenner's "Land of 1000 Dances".  Two years after being recorded, "Here Comes the Hotstepper" reached #1 in the United States, Australia and New Zealand and #4 in the U.K.

Although nothing else from Kamoze caught on, he has released 10 career albums.

 We're up to #291, and it's by a soul artist who gave us this great song:

#291:  Timmy Thomas--"Why Can't We Live Together"   

Thomas played for Donald Byrd and Cannonball Adderly, before working as a session musician in Memphis, Tennessee.  Thomas released singles on Goldwax Records as part of the group Phillip & the Faithfuls, but had little solo success until he switched to Glades Records.

In 1972, Thomas released the single "Why Can't We Live Together".  The song made it all the way to #3 overall, was a #1 R&B hit, and was a Top 10 song in several other countries.  Sales of the single have topped two million copies.  

Thomas released singles for both Glades and the T.K. Disco label.  He enjoyed several R&B hits, including
"People Are Changin'" and "Gotta' Give A Little Love (Ten Years After)", but the best he could do after his great song "Why Can't We Live Together" was #75 on the popular chart.  He also did session work for other T.K. artists, including Gwen McCrae, and later became a producer.

Inside The Rock Era began this special on July 1st and we're featuring 10 songs every day through August 22.  Be sure to join us tomorrow!